That was me, once. And in twenty more years, I will run a photo of myself taken today and I will say, That was me, once. Why does it take twenty years to appreciate the way we once were? Why can't we see ourselves with those future eyes, tender and forgiving, today? I look like my mother as a young woman in this photo. Now, when I look in the mirror the visage I see is my father's. Funny how we change through the years and how long it takes to grow comfortable with each new face we wear. Some of us manage better than others, I presume, or is this struggle fairly universal?
You can, right in this moment.
ReplyDeletesadly, i don't though.
DeleteI think this is so true for all of us. At this point I am kinder to myself because I know that things certainly aren't going to get any better. So, I focus on my spirit. My mom always told me the prettiest people are the ones who exude positive qualities - so a beautiful woman/man could seem ugly and vice versa depending on how they treat others, etc. Still, I'd love to wake up one morning looking like Brad Pitt.
ReplyDeleteGary, i think you said it just right: it's about being kinder to ourselves, you evolved soul, you.
DeleteI think that too. When I look at old photos of myself I never appreciated me at the time. When I look at photos of you though, I appreciate how you look then and now. Looking at your eyes always makes me smile. I think you have your mother's mouth.
ReplyDeleteKristin, a smile is good! thank you.
DeleteI am the same. Exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteYou were beautiful. You ARE beautiful. Trust me.
Ms. Moon, if YOU will trust ME. If only you could see yourself through my eyes.
Deletewhat a question, angella.
ReplyDeletei look back on my own 20-years-gone-by snapshots and say what on earth was i thinking? so much time and energy spent worrying ...and time swallows it whole.
i love the photographs of you then, now, and god willing i'll be squinting at your beauty 20 years down the line.
susan, i suppose that's the point, really, that this is all not worth a moment's worry. time swallows it whole. i like that. xo
DeleteLove. Love. Why can't we love ourselves as we are now?! Gah! And what Ms. Moon said. Yes.
ReplyDeletexo
Dear Rachel, gah! indeed. :)
DeleteI think we are our harshest critics. You were lovely then, you are lovely now. I read something online about how we always look back at our past selves and cringe at out hair, our clothes, our lives. That we always think where we are is the best, until 20 more years goes by. I wish I had appreciated younger me more, that's all I know for sure.
ReplyDeletexo
Mel, you see kindly. and yes, i know what you mean about wishing we'd appreciated ourselves more back then. who would be be now if we had, i wonder?
DeleteGreat photo. Interesting that you embody so much of both your parents that you can see both of them in you. I look so distinctly like my father that I don't see my mother in my face at all.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've been reading here over Christmas and New Year's, but I couldn't comment. There was some kind of technical glitch between my stateside computer -- an old Apple laptop -- and your blog page. Very strange. Anyway, I'm still here!
Steve, it is an odd thing as a female to look in the mirror and see my father's face. but there is something quite sweet about it too, because my dad was a good, good man.
DeleteYes. You are beautiful now too.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
michelle, xoxoxo back!
DeleteI know a few people who consistently find themselves attractive. I wish I did not know them. There's something not right about looking at ourselves at all. Our eyes are where they are in order for us to look out and away from ourselves towards others. But then we have to make do with mirrors. As for them, I have found that a single can of inexpensive hairspray will work wonders when sprayed across the surface of the glass. It blurs the image of you but still allows you to find the dirty spots on your face so you can wash them away with a cloth and warm water.
ReplyDeleteoooo, i love this! every bit of it. who knew it was as simple as a can of hair spray, lol.
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